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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 11, 2008 12:26:55 GMT -8
I hope this is the right forum here.
I have been told of some serious weapons malfunctions at the last event.
Anyone who had the problems, I would appreciate it if you let me know. I have some ideas on why and how, but need feedback to see how everything relates.
Be honest with me guys, I am here to take a beating, but I can't fix things if I don't know what is/was broken.
(Thank you to the guys who have already sent me e-mails)
Thank you,
Robb
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Post by rmli on Dec 11, 2008 17:18:41 GMT -8
Seph,
Use full length (long neck) blanks. And all of your feeding problems will go away. They cost a bit more, but worth it. You'll have no problems doing a "mad minute" with the long necks.
That chap in Kingman loads his blanks too bloody HOT! They make my ears ring!
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Post by Wolfgang on Dec 11, 2008 17:45:37 GMT -8
Rob: Some Germans were having trouble with the long rounds. I'll put you in contact with them. I believe that the same rounds cycled through other German rifles without difficulty.
Anybody else have trouble? I believe the Brits had their 303 rounds from another source, but I failed to keep track of the manufacturer.
When I went French briefly, I was having trouble with rounds jamming in my Berthier; alas, I did not keep track of the source for that, either.
In any case, state the problems simply and without rancor.
Phillip Dye
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Post by rmli on Dec 12, 2008 3:16:09 GMT -8
Dirt and dust was the main cause of our problems. RMLI was using a combination of Atlanticwall short .303, and Swansons long necks.
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 12, 2008 5:08:56 GMT -8
Guys, I am reading this, the PM's and e-mails. I will let it go for a day or so more to let more people respond.
I will respond to every one.
Thank you,
Robb
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Dec 12, 2008 5:42:03 GMT -8
The only issue I pesonally know of was two of the US Marines (John Harmon and his son) were having problems with their '03 Springfields. I don't know where they got their .30-06 blanks from but I'll send them this way.
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chris
GWHS 
SCHLESIEN
Posts: 58
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Post by chris on Dec 12, 2008 6:40:36 GMT -8
The 8mm Mauser short rounds that I was using were jamming occasionally during cycling and a few times would not eject. I had to pry a few spent rounds out with my fingers. I think dirt and dust might have played a major role in the problems because at the beginning of the battle I had no problems.
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Post by aefstraggler on Dec 12, 2008 9:05:52 GMT -8
Replied to an PM sent me by Adam - but no, the blanks my son
(Michael) and I were using were not from Atlantic Wall.
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Post by CRMichaelis on Dec 12, 2008 22:30:52 GMT -8
Phillip, The Lebel blanks that were jamming in your, my and everyone's Berthiers and Lebels were from Swanson. Even though they jammed (almost every time) there's no problem - that's authentic for French rifles I think!  I personally have not used Atlantic Wall blanks. If everyone has the same problem then the blanks are to blame. Sporadic issues seem to me to be more of a rifle issue - either with the condition of the rifle or dirt. |
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 20, 2008 9:17:42 GMT -8
I have given this a while to give everyone time to give input. I will get back with you guys this weekend (when the wife does not own my time).
I have been paying attention.
Thank you,
Robb
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 27, 2008 7:40:32 GMT -8
Hello Robb, I personally had no problems until around 25 rounds had been expended. Then, it was jamming = bad feeding = sticking about half in / out of the chamber, or bad extraction = stuck fully in the chamber. This seems to be a common theme with the malfunctions at this event. The rounds would work at first, then all have the same problems you list. This sounds very much like dirt / dust. .303 blanks can be under sized with no problem, and I have some military blanks that show this in spades. The use of once fired brass will not a allow for undersized cases, and with the unsupported head, you will never have an undersized case with the once fired brass used unless they were run through a die of a smaller caliber which is not the case. If anything, this particular batch was a slight bit long. I remember this only because it was the first batch by a new employee and we spent hours trying to get them right. While they were a bit long. I ran them through 3 rifles and they worked flawlessly. I spent the next day working on this with the new guy and took care of it. It was one of the simple things you overlook because you think it really just can't be that simple - if you see my point. I would call this an "plus tolerance accumulation" (Yes that is a real term) The rounds were at their max size, and the rifle was at it's max clearance due to debris. Put the two together and they will fail at some point even though both are within spec. This is the only case of widespread failures that have been reported. There also seems to be a clear set of circumstances that have contributed to the problem. As to my employees...that comment greatly upsets me.......but you probably are not aware of my hiring practices. I employ 2-3 employees at any one time depending on how many I can get that fit my qualifications. What are my qualifications? You must be a local Iran / Afghanistan disabled war vet that is recuperating from injuries and awaiting discharge from the military / recently discharged and still under the care of the military. What this does is give them a sense of importance and feeling that they are useful with their injuries. This is a gateway to healing up and getting back into the real world and the responsibilities that come with it. Many of them are young and feel useless and think they will never be able to do anything more than flip burgers. While I am not their mother or Sgt. I teach them how to do the easier aspects of the job, and how making "munitions" is a pretty serious job. Since expensive weapons can be damaged and people hurt, they see that they can do more than work at McDondalds when they are fully recuperated. This started when a friend of my wife who was a major in the Army serving two tours in Afghanistan and 1/2 a tour in Iraq was found to have terminal cancer. With a 20% chance of survival, he is still beating the odds (but it has been one hell of a rough time for him) While waiting for his next treatment etc, he was depressed and wanted something to do so I offered him a job. It worked so well for him he asked that I do this for others. He runs interference on military maters and keeps the Army / Marine "you suck" conflicts to a minimum.  I have never had to discharge any of them, none have ever quit on me, and all leave when their time is up or by their own choice when they move on and up. I could never ask for better employees, and yes, .gov looks very highly upon this as a condition of my contracts with them. I won't pretend that this secondary reason is important as well. I hope that clears up the "situation" with my employees. They think I am nuts half the time, but that is normal.  |
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 27, 2008 7:45:33 GMT -8
Seph, Use full length (long neck) blanks. And all of your feeding problems will go away. They cost a bit more, but worth it. You'll have no problems doing a "mad minute" with the long necks. That chap in Kingman loads his blanks too bloody HOT! They make my ears ring! Many people were reporting similar problems with both Swansons full length and my full length .303 and 8mm at this event as well. These rounds are made on virgin brass to minimum European specs. This was my first big clue hat something other than the rounds were the problem as a whole. If you check the specs on these cases they are perfect, but they darn well should be for the price. For these to fail, from two manufacturers, at one event on a large scale tells me that there is a contributing factor. Robb |
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 27, 2008 7:54:29 GMT -8
Wolfgang, My post above covers the full length case issue. As for the Berthier rounds. Again, these are made on new European made brass. The biggest problem, and I doubt I am telling you anything you don't know, is that the short 8x50R rounds just don't feed well even in the best of conditions. Regardless of manufacture. These will be new made brass and should function the same. I have heard comments in passing about Swansons rounds being so powerful that the heat created causes them to stick on hot days, but have not looked into this. Mine are not as hot, but feed no better. Dusty conditions would only make this problem worse regardless of who made them There is not much to the making of this round. Your opinion on what you like best would be the only determining factor. Swansons are really hot, mine are pretty nice, but not ear splitting, cost is roughly the same I believe. Both should function the same. Robb When I went French briefly, I was having trouble with rounds jamming in my Berthier; alas, I did not keep track of the source for that, either. Phillip Dye |
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 27, 2008 7:57:27 GMT -8
Dirt and dust was the main cause of our problems. RMLI was using a combination of Atlanticwall short .303, and Swansons long necks. Again, I keep seeing the word Dust, and reports of failures from multiple manufactures. This is very helpful. Robb |
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Post by Atlanticwallblanks on Dec 27, 2008 7:59:04 GMT -8
The 8mm Mauser short rounds that I was using were jamming occasionally during cycling and a few times would not eject. I had to pry a few spent rounds out with my fingers. I think dirt and dust might have played a major role in the problems because at the beginning of the battle I had no problems. Chris, again, same thoughts as the above post. 1) Rounds worked early on. 2) Dust 3) Rounds started to fail. A pattern is developing here. Thank you for your feedback. Robb |
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